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::''This page is about the musical instruments. For other meanings of the word Qin, see [[Qin (disambiguation)]].''
*''Chinese/Japanese'': 琴 ''(qín / kin)''
The ''qin'' is a traditional Chinese musical instrument. A thirteen-stringed zither, it is closely related to the ''[[guzheng]]'' and to the Japanese ''[[koto]]''. The standard form of the ''qin'' is said to date back to the [[Han Dynasty]] (c. 206 BCE-[[220]] CE), and is the instrument most classically associated with the [[literati]].
The instrument is spoken highly of by [[Confucius]], among many others, and is said to have a variety of metaphysical characteristics and abilities, including communicating one's character and emotions; cultivating personal character & morality; subduing demons and evil spirits; and enhancing life and enriching learning. Images and descriptions of literati (C: wénrén, J: bunjin) playing musical instruments most often refers to the ''qin''; musical ability and cultivation as one of the [[Four Accomplishments]] of the Confucian gentleman likewise refers most typically to the ''qin'', over other instruments. These images and descriptions most often show a literatus playing the ''qin'' in a garden, mountain retreat, or otherwise out in nature.
The strings of the ''qin'' are traditionally made of twisted silk, while the body of the instrument is made of two kinds of wood, with the upper board of ''wutong'' wood representing heaven, and the lower board of ''zi'' wood representing earth. Thirteen studs, called ''hui'', mark finger positions.
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==References==
*Gallery labels, Musical Instruments gallery, Metropolitan Museum.
[[Category:Art and Architecture]]
[[Category:Poetry and Theater]]